Sablikova clocked six minutes 51.54 seconds for her 12-and-a-half laps to edge Ireen Wust of Netherlands into the silver medal position by 2.74 seconds.

Carien Kleibeuker won bronze to take to 21 the number of medals won by Dutch speed skaters here, out of 30.

The 41-year-old German Claudia Pechstein finished fifth and failed to add to her record number of Olympic skating medals.

Sablikova, dubbed the "queen of skating" four years ago after winning the 3,000m and 5,000m titles in Vancouver, raced in the penultimate heat alongside Wust, who had won the shorter distance gold ahead of the Czech.

The 26-year-old Sablikova trailed Wust early on and had to adjust her glasses mid-skate, but she maintained her composure and eventually reined in the Dutchwoman with three laps left.

Norway, anchored by the indomitable Marit Bjoergen, won the women's team sprint classic gold medal.

Bjoergen paired up with Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg to bring Norway home in 16 minutes 04.05 seconds to win the country's fourth cross-country skiing title at these Games.